Legg Mason is pleased to announce its success with the Bottom Line “Dorm Registry” Collection Drive, a fundraising initiative that took place this past summer, for the third consecutive year, in New York.

Two of the Firm’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), African-Americans Helping to Enhance and Advance Diversity (AHEAD) and Women’s Leadership Network (WLN), partnered with Bottom Line, an organization that addresses the low college graduation rates of low-income, first-generation students and helps them get into and through college.

This unique and easy to replicate initiative succeeded in raising $6,000 for six first-year college students in order to provide them with student gift cards used to purchase college dorm items, such as laptops, classroom supplies and furniture. WLN and AHEAD supported two students the first year they began participating in 2013, and they have raised the bar each year thereafter.

Serving over 1,500 NYC students this school year, Bottom Line provides consistent one-on-one support and guidance to students during the college application process and throughout their entire college careers in order to set them up for lifelong success. The organization has helped thousands of low-income students stay in college and earn their degrees.

“The support that Legg Mason and their employees have provided to Bottom Line – through these dorm drives, volunteering their time, providing internships, and with their generous financial support – has been a tremendous resource for our students,” says Bottom Line New York Executive Director Ruth Genn. “Core to our program is the belief that a continuum of support, from college applications through college graduation, is crucial to our students’ success, and our partnership with Legg Mason is an example of that belief in action.”

Camille Meade, Legg Mason WLN Member and Director of US Product Management, also noted, “We were delighted to once again partner with Bottom Line on this wonderful initiative. What started as a quick idea has grown into a meaningful way to support students in their educational journey as well as a terrific collaborative effort across our ERG network.”

AHEAD focuses on the importance of promoting diversity by exchanging ideas and information relevant to the growth and unique experiences of African-Americans. WLN concentrates on developing leadership skills, broadening networks, and promoting the importance of diversity and inclusion.

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